Canadian 'Leafy Greens Cookbook,' book about beer come out on top at World Awards

CP

BEIJING, China - A Canadian cookbook featuring leafy greens and a book about beer have been named best in the world at this week's Beijing Cookbook Fair Gourmand Awards.

"The Complete Leafy Greens Cookbook" by Susan Sampson (Robert Rose) came first for 2013 in the vegetarian/vegan category while "Les Saveurs Gastronomiques de la biere" by David Levesque Gendron and Martin Thibault with photographs by David Gingras (Editions Druide) was No. 1 in the drinks/beer category.

"On m'appelle Chef Themis et j'aime ca!" by Jean-Louis Themistocle Randriantiana (Editions Chefs en Scenes) was first in the North American charity fundraising category while "The Salmon Recipes: Stories of Our Endangered North Coast Cuisine" by the Prince Rupert Environmental Society came second.

"Rencontres inspirantes pour une cuisine inspiree" by Melanie Champoux and Club Photo Region Megantic (Blurb) received a special award of the international jury as did "From the Ambassador's Table" by Margaret H. Dickenson (Time Singapore/Random House Canada) for best authors and chefs.

Canadian books in English and French were second and third behind an entry from Japan for best illustrations. Pierre Lamielle, who recently appeared on season 4 of "Top Chef Canada," came second for his illustrations of "Alice Eats" (Whitecap), and Alain Dabadie came third for "Le guide de l'allaitement maternel" (Springer-France).

"Decades of Decadence: An Abundance of Epic Eats" by Rebecca Klemke and Lois O'Connor (Friesen Press) came third for historical recipes; "Sea Salt: Recipes from the West Coast Galley" by Alison Malone Eathorne, Hilary Malone and Lorna Malone (Harbour Publishing) came third among fish cookbooks; and "The Vert: A la rencontre d'un art millenaire" from Maison de The Camellia Sinensis (Editions l'Homme) came second in drinks/tea.

In all, 187 countries participated in the international awards with 94 countries on the shortlist. There were 74 cookbook categories, 25 wine/drinks categories and three TV categories considered.

The fair will return to Paris in 2015.

The Gourmand World Cookbooks Awards were founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau of the liqueur and cognacs family.